Surgical Table Guard with Upstanding Leg for Column Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Surgical table support columns and telescoping extensions are frequently damaged due to the placement of equipment on the table base, leading to costly repairs and extended downtime when the tables need to be returned to a repair station.

Innovation Solution

A Surgical Table Guard is designed to extend from the base of the surgical table, using adapters for attachment, and features an upstanding leg that provides support for medical equipment while maintaining clearance from the central support column, preventing damage to the telescoping extensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If medical equipment is placed on the base of the surgical table, then additional storage is provided, but the support column and telescoping extensions are damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidintegrity of support column

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a base guard as an intermediary component between the equipment and the support column. The guard extends upward from the base and provides a surface for placing equipment, while its design ensures that equipment positioned on the guard cannot contact and damage the telescoping extensions or support column.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If equipment is placed directly on the base, then storage is available, but repair costs and downtime increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidtable downtime

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The base guard serves as a protective barrier that prevents damage before it can occur. By providing a dedicated surface for equipment placement that is spaced from the support column, the guard cushioning protects against accidental contact and damage, eliminating the need for costly repairs and extended downtime.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the guard extends close to the support column, then protection is maximized, but clearance is reduced risking damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection levelVSAvoidclearance distance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The base guard is designed with varying dimensions at different locations. It extends upward to provide protection near the support column while maintaining adequate clearance. The guard's geometry is optimized to provide maximum protection in areas where equipment placement occurs while preserving sufficient space to prevent contact with the telescoping extensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9233042B1Surgical table guard

Publication Date: 2016.01.12 FREUDE MICHAEL

AI summary

A device to protect surgical tables that incorporates a horizontal base and a vertical flange that meet creating a vertex, where the vertex may have a radius. The horizontal base is supported by at least one foot providing a stable platform for the surgical table guard. The vertical flange is spaced away from the vertical base of the surgical table providing adequate clearance to the vertical base to allow the vertical base to compress in normal operation.